What Is Canada Post Waiting For?

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Wednesday August 17 2016

2015-2019/168

No 64

As the end of our strike vote mandate looms ever closer, what is Canada Post waiting for? Are they content to sit back and see what we will do on August 25? Do they want us to take some form of strike action so that they can then lock us out? Do they want negotiated collective agreements or do they want to battle this out?

The Spin Continues

On August 15, 2016 the Toronto Star attributed the following comments to Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton:

“We continue to talk. We remain available to sit around the clock to hammer out a deal.”

“The union has repeatedly assured Canadians that they do not want a strike. Therefore, letting the strike mandate expire on August 25th should not be an issue.”

When asked whether Canada Post would consider resurrecting a lockout notice, Hamilton said the company is focused on getting a deal.

“The union is still looking for $1 billion in demands and refusing to accept the company’s proposal to move new hires to a defined contribution pension plan, from a defined benefit plan.”

While the threat of an immediate shutdown of the post office has subsided, Hamilton said customers remain nervous, given the uncertainty.

The following was posted on the CPC Customer Updates page on August 9, 2016:

“Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers remain at the negotiating table, but progress is discouraging.”

“As you know, Canada Post has expressed its strong desire to continue to negotiate without the threat of a lockout. Although CUPW has repeatedly said that they do not intend to strike, a threat of a 72-hour notice to strike is always a very real possibility.”

Jon Hamilton is telling the media that we should let our strike mandate expire on August 25. CPC continues to mention our $1 billion in demands but they have refused to provide us with any costing figures on this amount. He says that CPC is available to “hammer out a deal” and that “the company is focused on getting a deal.”